How Could the Coronavirus affect the Argos and the CFL

[jerrym]

The Coronavirus has had hit the entire world hard. In the hardest hit countries, China and Italy, the entire economy was hit, and many events cancelled. In Italy, the entire population has been told today to stay home except to go to work, for emergencies and for health reasons, with the quarantine being enforced by the police. Sporting events were cancelled or played before empty stands to limit the spread of the disease. While Canada and the US are still a long way from that, 20 universities in the US have already closed in response to the disease. In an attendance driven league like the CFL a shutdown could be catastrophic. The Argos, who have the biggest attendance problems in the league, could even be hit hard simply by loyal fans staying away from a mass event, such as a football game, because of the virus.

The Coronavirus is sometimes compared to the 1918-19 global pandemic that killed 20-100 million people (statistics back then were spotty at best). The 1918-19 pandemic shut down the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Montreal Canadiens and Seattle Metropolitans with the series tied 2-2 in games while a fifth game ended in a tie. When several players on the Canadiens became sick Montreal was unable to put a team on the ice and the playoffs were cancelled. One of the players, Joe Hall, later died. It's possible that we may get lucky and avoid the worst possible effects of the pandemic but that is certainly not guaranteed. Below is an account of the 1919 Stanley Cup series and cancelation.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...rticle4128146/

[jerrym]

Lebron James has got his knuckles rapped for his comments on the Coronavirus by executives from his team, the LA Lakers after making that he wasn't playing if there were no fans in the stands because of the virus. Plans on travel and other issues are already changing because of the virus.

The coronavirus outbreak continues to be a concern across pro sports leagues, including the NBA, which has been taking precautions as the virus spreads. But on Friday night, Los Angeles Lakers star Lebron James brushed off the notion that the deadly virus might soon force games to take place in empty arenas. His comments came despite a memo from the league office instructing teams to prepare for that eventuality and make contingency plans to reduce the size of travelling parties.

“I play for the fans, that’s what it’s all about,” James said. “If I show up to the arena and there ain’t no fans there, I ain’t playing.” On this issue, James, the NBA’S most popular player, does not speak for the league at large. The stark realities of the deadly coronavirus have set in, prompting team meetings, updated protective measures at arenas and altered travel behaviour.

“With no disrespect to Lebron, this is a public health crisis that’s bigger than any one person,” said a high-ranking team executive, pointing to large-scale quarantine efforts overseas and a rising death toll domestically. “Personally, I think there’s a good chance we will be forced to play games in empty arenas at some point. The virus is spreading quickly, it’s not contained, and it will not be contained any time soon. The threat (to NBA players and fans) could carry on into next season.”

Another team executive called James’ comment “short-sighted” and “not helpful” given the need to inform the public on the dangers of coronavirus, which had killed more than 20 people in the United States and infected more than 100,000 people globally as of Sunday. Numerous soccer leagues in Europe and Asia have cancelled games or played them without fans in attendance. “We aren’t exempt,” the executive said. “I’m concerned for (the health of ) myself and my kids, and I’m scared for my parents (given their age). This is an unprecedented test for (U.S. President Donald Trump) and our health care system, let alone the NBA. We don’t know where this is going, and it could get really, really bad. That’s not being alarmist. That’s the truth.”

James’ Lakers were one of many teams to hold informational meetings about the virus over the past few days. Those meetings have tended to focus on preventive tips, such as washing hands, using hand sanitizer and avoiding unnecessary contact with fans while giving autographs or taking photographs. ...

Travel plans are already changing. Some league personnel who had planned to attend the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston this weekend opted not to go, while others who did attend awkwardly avoided highfives and agonized over the risk of exposure. The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association remain in daily contact as the league’s plans continue to unfold, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Many coaches and players have been reluctant to speak publicly about coronavirus because of the high stakes and its unexpected arrival during the middle of the playoff push.

https://www.pressreader.com/canada/c...82136408471613

[jerrym]

Should the Coronavirus hit the Argos attendance hard, the team does have one advantage: the team's ownership, Maple Leaf Sport and Entertainment, has the deep pockets to absorb the financial costs.

[jerrym]

The NHL's San Jose Sharks are already facing being shut out of their own arena for March as Santa Clara county in California, where the team plays its home games, has banned all mass gatherings of more than 1,000 people. The team may be able to play games at home but without fans in the stands.

Concerns over the COVID-19 virus have begun to permeate throughout the sports world, and as teams begin to consider alternative plans for the safety of fans and players, one county may force their hands earlier than they would like.

Santa Clara County in California issued a cancellation of mass gatherings over 1,000 people, in light of “significantly increasing rates of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County,” according to the Emergency Operations Center and Public Health Department. “This is a critical moment in the growing outbreak of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County. The strong measures we are taking today are designed to slow the spread of disease,” said Dr. Sara Cody, Santa Clara County Health Officer in the release. “Today’s order and new recommendations will reduce the number of people who develop severe illness and will help prevent our healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed. This is critically important for anyone with healthcare needs, not just those most vulnerable to serious illness from COVID-19.”

The Mercury News reports that the ban applies to all events at the SAP Center for the month of March, which is the home of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. Three Sharks home games scheduled for the rest of the month will be effected, according to the Mercury News.

Earlier on Monday, a woman in her 60s died in Santa Clara County from the virus, making her the second person to pass away from COVID-19 it in the state. ...

In a press conference Monday evening, Cody said the Sharks could possibly continue to have the games in SAP Center, but would have to do so without fans in the building. The Sharks released a statement acknowledging the ban from the county, and will release their plan on how to handle the remaining home games this month in the coming days.

https://sports.yahoo.com/covid-19-co...031526103.html

[Jon Gonzo]

I have been reading that Covid19 is 10 to 15 times worse than the average flu bug, and although it's mortality rates are in the 3%, it doesn't mean it won't be around for a long while.
I heard some projections from medical experts;
96 million infections
480,000 deaths
See how quickly it shut down Italy
And to think, the new method of warfare & terrorism could bio-terror.

[bannedforlife]

It might have an effect on the CFL (however that might be determined) by shutting down the XFL. Seattle, one of the two decently attended teams will be playing before an empty stadium this weekend. Considering the ban on gatherings over 250 people, they'll be hard pressed to be able to host the teams and their staff and a broadcasting crew.

[jerrym]

It was just announced today that the March Madness US college basketball tournament will be played without fans in the stands. The hypothetical has become a reality.

The NCAA announced on Wednesday that both the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments will be played without fans after consulting with its coronavirus advisory panel.

“Based on [the panel’s] advice and my discussions with the NCAA Board of Governors, I have made the decision to conduct our upcoming championship events, including the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, with only essential staff and limited family attendance,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement.

The deadly virus was upgraded to a pandemic on Wednesday afternoon, less than a week before the field of 68 was set to tip off with the First Four in Dayton.

Coronavirus has been steadily forcing more and more sports leagues and teams to consider alternate plans, with Thursday’s Nets-Warriors game in San Francisco now set to be played without fans, but the banning of fans for the entirety of the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments is the most significant development to date, and could be the beginning of a trend throughout sports in the United States.

https://nypost.com/2020/03/11/march-...f-coronavirus/

[Argo57]

I have been reading that Covid19 is 10 to 15 times worse than the average flu bug, and although it's mortality rates are in the 3%, it doesn't mean it won't be around for a long while.
I heard some projections from medical experts;
96 million infections
480,000 deaths
See how quickly it shut down Italy
And to think, the new method of warfare & terrorism could bio-terror.

This is becoming a far reaching issue, I was supposed to go to Michigan for product training which was cancelled, we also have many customers that have told us that industrial sales reps cannot enter their facilities.
Unfortunately it looks like this illness is just beginning to ramp up.

[jerrym]

The World Health Organization, a branch of the UN, has officially declared Covid-19 a global pandemic. (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/11/who-...-pandemic.html)

Washington state is banning all gatherings of larger than 250 people in Metro Seattle, including sports teams in the MLS and MLB, as well as the already mentioned XFL. San Francisco is banning all gatherings or more than 1,000 people for at least two weeks, which will affect their NBA team. Will it be possible for Canadian sports teams to avoid this as time goes on?

Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington announced Wednesday a ban through the end of March on all gatherings or events of 250 or more people in the Seattle metro area, including sporting events, as the city continues to deal with an outbreak of the coronavirus.

The ban will impact games scheduled for this month involving the MLB, MLS and XFL, and if expanded beyond the Seattle area would alter plans involving the men's and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

"I am ordering pursuant to my emergency powers that certain events in King, Pierce and Snohomish County with more than 250 people are prohibited by order of the governor," Inslee said. "These events that are prohibited are gatherings for social, recreational, spiritual and other matters, including but not limited to community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based and sporting events."

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ns/5021925002/

Moments after Inslee’s announcement, San Francisco health officials announced they were prohibiting public and private events of 1,000 or more to slow the spread of the new coronavirus there.

“We know that this order is disruptive, but it is an important step to support public health,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement. “We know cancelling these events is a challenge for everyone and we’ve been talking with venues and event organizers about the need to protect public health.” She said she spoke with the Warriors NBA team and “they are in support of our efforts.”

The San Francisco ban is for two weeks, the mayor’s office said in a statement, adding that the city’s public health officer can extend it.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/11/wash...-outbreak.html

[doubleblue]

I can't see the Global Combine being held now with all the banned flights etc. coming into Canada. It will be a big disappointment for these players that have worked so hard to prepare. I expect this flu to disappear once the hot weather hits and a vaccine is announced, just like Zars, Zika and all the others did. But that won't be in time for the Combine.

[jerrym]

Today the World Figure Skating Championships scheduled to be held in Montreal that were to start on Monday have been cancelled.

Also cancelled were the Women’s World Hockey Championship, scheduled to take place in Nova Scotia from March 31 to April 10.

https://montrealgazette.com/news/loc...ps-in-montreal


The NBA season has been suspended because an Utah Jazz player has tested positive for Coronavirus.

https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/nba...20-1203531530/

[Antwon]

I expect the NHL to suspend the season next.

[jerrym]

How hard hit an economy may be hit by the coronavirus is clearly evident by Italy's order that all retail stores in the country, with the exception of food stores and pharmacies, are to close.

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The Italian government has ordered the closure of all retailers except food shops and pharmacies in a further extension of stringent measures to contain the country’s coronavirus outbreak.Giuseppe Conte, prime minister, said cafes, restaurants and all other retailers not deemed essential would be closed during the outbreak. Other businesses including factories and agriculture, as well as the public sector and transport would remain open, as will banks and tobacconists.

https://www.ft.com/content/b25470c0-...d-df28cc3c6a68

[jerrym]

I expect the NHL to suspend the season next.

The NHL is expected to give a Coronavirus update on Thursday but is not expected to suspend operations but will continue to evaluate its options and consult with experts.

https://nationalpost.com/sports/hock..._autoplay=true

[paulwoods13]

There is only one reasonable decision for the NHL to make: suspend the season. If they don't do so today, they are only delaying the inevitable.

[doubleblue]

Nothing from the CFL yet. But it doesn't look good for the Combines.

[Neely2005]

Nothing from the CFL yet. But it doesn't look good for the Combines.

The CFL Combine is proceeding with additional measures in place:

https://3downnation.com/2020/03/11/c...irus-concerns/

[jerrym]

There is only one reasonable decision for the NHL to make: suspend the season. If they don't do so today, they are only delaying the inevitable.

I think the league now will do that as "all NHL clubs have been advised not to conduct morning skates, practices or team meetings amid efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19. The NHL says it will have an announcement later today about the future of the season". (https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/...s-uncertainty/) I certainly hope so considering its own history when, during the 1918-19 pandemic it had to shut down in the middle of the Stanley Cup playoffs after the Montreal Canadiens could not field a team because of players who had caught the virus, one of whom later died (see post #1 for details).

The PGA will continue golf tournaments but without fans (https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/12/pga-...ronavirus.html)

Major League Soccer "has announced it will be suspending match play for 30 days, effective immediately in wake of the coronavirus outbreak" (https://globalnews.ca/news/6666175/t...s-coronavirus/)

Some major movies are delaying their release because of the virus.

[jerrym]

BC Lions are postponing indefinitely its team tryouts in Texas due to the Coronavirus.

[argolio]

I can't see the Global Combine being held now with all the banned flights etc. coming into Canada. It will be a big disappointment for these players that have worked so hard to prepare. I expect this flu to disappear once the hot weather hits and a vaccine is announced, just like Zars, Zika and all the others did. But that won't be in time for the Combine.

A vaccine is expected to be 12-18 months away.

Hot weather won't matter much if there are enough carriers spreading the virus to other people. Tom Hanks and his wife just contracted the virus in Australia while shooting a movie, and it's summer there.